A. Below is a view shared by insurance companies' underwriters, it should give people who have the same question above a clear answer -
Marijuana is consumed in a variety of ways. Most commonly, it is smoked; however, it can also be consumed orally through foods, capsules, and teas. THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is the primary psychoactive chemical found in marijuana (in other words, this is the component within cannabis that causes changes in brain function, mood, and perception). In recent years, the levels of THC have increased considerably when compared to marijuana smoked just 20 years ago. Thus, today’s marijuana is much more potent than in the past.
THC is accumulated in the fatty tissues and eventually eliminated over a period of days (and sometimes weeks or longer). Therefore, a positive marijuana test on an insurance lab does not necessarily mean that the proposed insured had recently used pot. It is very possible that the proposed insured used marijuana days or weeks prior.
As the legal environment and cultural norms have changed, the use of marijuana has increased in recent years. It is estimated that almost 15% of U.S. adults have used marijuana in the past year. One recent comprehensive national survey found that 38% of college students have used marijuana at least one time in the last year and 21% report using in the last month. These numbers are even higher in people of the same age group not attending college. Increased use of cannabis isn’t isolated to young people. A 2017 review found a significant recent increase in cannabis use among U.S. adults age 50 and over.
The Good News
For adults using marijuana on a recreational/occasional basis, there is evidence that there is not much overall impact on health, except with poorer periodontal health. For those using marijuana for control of pain, there are indications that this may reduce the use of more dangerous prescription narcotic medication. Some research has concluded that there is reduced opioid-related accidental deaths when marijuana is legalized.
The Bad News
As Dr. Cliff Titcomb ( Medical Director at Hannover Re) has stated, “…it is important to remember that the mortality risk is not from the drug {marijuana} itself, but rather the company it keeps.”
- Marijuana users are more likely to use other drugs.
- Marijuana users are more likely to smoke tobacco.
- Marijuana users are found to drink more alcohol on average.
- Medicinal marijuana use is common in those who rate their health as poor and there is a high incidence of disability among people using for medicinal purposes.
- There is some evidence that chronic marijuana use may unveil various psychiatric issues in people who are predisposed to conditions such as schizophrenia and other psychoses.
- Negative impacts of marijuana are particularly worse when used in adolescence. Developing brains seem to be vulnerable to the effects of cannabis. This results in increased rates of anxiety and depressive disorders and reduced attention span.
- The effects on legalization may also increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents. In Hawaii, for example, motor vehicle fatalities involving individuals testing positive for THC has tripled since legalization. In Colorado, there have been similar findings.
The Bottom Line
As with so many other underwriting issues, context is key. The underwriter will be looking at things such as frequency of use, medicinal vs. recreational, past or current abuse of other substances, and other medical issues. For occasional/recreational use only with no other concerns, standard rates are common. More frequent use can result in a substandard rating. Preferred rates, while not as common as standard, is the best-case scenario. A typical preferred risk will have these characteristics:
- Over age 25
- Full disclosure
- Use of 2 times per month or less
- No history of substance abuse of any kind
- No criminal history
- Blood Alcohol on insurance lab 0%
- Full Drug panel (other than +Marijuana) must be negative
- No more than 2 moving violations in 5 years AND no history EVER of DWI/DUI
- No history of treatment for chronic pain or psychiatric issues
- Stable employment
- Otherwise qualifies for preferred rates